Modified orthopaedic implants for improved sterilization

ABSTRACT

A pre-assembled orthopaedic implant adapted for improved gas sterilization. The implant includes a first component adapted for assembly with a second component such that a mating surface of the first component is in close proximity with a mating surface of the second component. At least one gas conduit associated with the mating surface of the first component facilitates a sterilizing gas to penetrate into and dissipate from the interface defined by the mating surfaces.

This application relates to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/493,247, filed Aug. 7, 2003 and entitled “Modified Orthopaedic Implants for Improved Sterilization”, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by this reference.

RELATED FIELDS

Embodiments of the present invention relate to pre-assembled orthopaedic implants adapted for gas sterilization.

BACKGROUND

Orthopaedic implants, such as knee, hip or shoulder prostheses, occasionally include components that are shipped to the surgeon or other user in a pre-assembled condition. For example, a hip prosthesis may include a bipolar component that includes a metal acetabular shell pre-assembled with a plastic liner. To lessen the chances of post-implantation failure, the shell and liner must fit together snugly, with a relatively tight interface between the two components.

Pre-assembled components, as well as other orthopaedic implant components, may be sterilized prior to use to minimize the chances of infection. Orthopaedic components may be sterilized using a number of different techniques, including gas sterilization and gamma radiation.

In some circumstances, gas sterilization is a preferred technique for sterilizing orthopaedic components. Gas sterilization utilizes a gas such as ethylene oxide (ETO) or vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) to incapacitate bacterial or other disease causing agents. However, gas sterilization may be ineffective in certain circumstances. For example, if during sterilization the gas is unable to contact all surfaces of the orthopaedic components, it may not effectively sterilize those components.

Typical pre-assembled orthopaedic components may not be suitable for gas sterilization. Because of the relatively tight interface between the components, the gas may not be able to penetrate between the components to sterilize all of the surfaces. Additionally, even if some of the gas penetrates between the pre-assembled components, the gas may not necessarily be able to effectively dissipate from in between the tightly fitted pre-assembled components after sterilization is complete. Trace amounts of gas may remain in the implant, potentially having deleterious effects on the health of the individual who receives the implant.

Because typical pre-assembled orthopaedic implants may not be suitable for gas sterilization, they have in the past been sterilized using the less preferable gamma irradiation technique. Gamma irradiation may cause oxidation of plastics, such as the polyethylene commonly used for the plastic liner of a pre-assembled orthopaedic component. Oxidation of the polyethylene forming the plastic liner may weaken the component, increasing the chance that the implant will fail. Gamma irradiation may also be undesirable because it may neutralize the effects of cross-linking in highly cross-linked plastic components, also potentially weakening the component.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present invention include a pre-assembled orthopaedic implant suitable for gas sterilization. In some embodiments, one or more gas conduits associated with one or more of the orthopaedic components facilitates the penetration and/or dispersion of a sterilizing gas into and from the pre-assembled components, but do not affect the mechanical integrity or overall performance of the implant. Embodiments of the present invention may include pre-assembled knee, hip, shoulder or other orthopaedic components.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the gas conduit or conduits may be formed in several suitable shapes, sizes, locations, orientations or configurations. For example, in some embodiments the gas conduits are a plurality of channels inscribed onto a mating surface of one or more of the orthopaedic components. In other embodiments, the gas conduits are one or more apertures passing through one or more of the orthopaedic components. Other embodiments may include any combination of the foregoing gas conduits, or other structures serving as suitable gas conduits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a orthopaedic implant shown in a pre-assembled condition in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the pre-assembled orthopaedic implant shown in FIG. 1 in a disassembled condition.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an orthopaedic component in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of an orthopaedic component in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an orthopaedic hip implant in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, shown in a disassembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an orthopaedic implant 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The implant 10 shown in FIG. 1 is adapted for implantation into the acetabulum of a hip such that the implant 10 can receive a prosthetic femoral head in a rotating fashion (however, embodiments of the present invention also include implants that can interact with natural portions of the anatomy—such as natural femoral heads). FIG. 5 shows (in a disassembled state) implant 10 associated with a femoral head 30 and stem 32.

As shown in FIG. 1, orthopaedic implants 10 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may include at least two orthopaedic components 12 and 14. FIG. 1 shows the implant including two components: an acetabular shell 12 and a liner 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, acetabular shell 12 is metal and liner 14 is a plastic, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. However, shell 12 and liner 14 may be formed from any desirable material.

Implant 10 may be assembled by press fitting liner 14 into an interior cavity of acetabular shell 12 such that a mating surface 16 on the liner 14 is in close proximity with a mating surface 18 of the acetabular shell 12, defining a mating surface interface 26. Liner 14 may be secured in shell 12 in any desirable, conventional, or non-conventional manner.

Implant 10 may be shipped with the liner 14 assembled in the shell 12 and may be sterilized after assembly. If necessary or desired, the pre-assembled implant 10 may be later combined with other components to finalize assembly of the implant prior to implantation. A retaining ring 28 may secure the additional component to the pre-assembled implant.

Pre-assembled implant 10 may include one or more gas conduits 24. Gas conduits 24, as discussed above, may permit sterilization gasses such as ETO or VHP to penetrate into the mating surface interface 26, between the mating surfaces 16 and 18 of the shell 12 and liner 14. Gas conduits 24 may also facilitate dispersion of the sterilization gas from in-between the mating surfaces 16 and 18 of the components after sterilization is complete. Gas conduits 24 may be formed as one or more channels, one or more apertures, any combination of channels and apertures, or any other desired structure. The gas conduits 24 may be formed by machining, molding or any other conventional or non-conventional technique.

FIG. 1 shows an aperture gas conduit 24 extending from an inner surface to the outer, mating surface 16 of the liner. FIG. 2 shows a plurality of channel gas conduits 24 engraved in the mating surface 16 of the liner. In some embodiments, the liner may include both channels and apertures as gas conduits.

In still other embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the acetabular shell 12 may also include gas conduits 24, such as apertures and channels. Gas conduits 24 associated with the acetabular shell 12 may facilitate the penetration and subsequent dispersion of sterilizing gas in a similar manner to gas conduits 24 associated with the liner 14.

Gas conduits 24 may be associated with the shell 12, liner 14, or both, in any desired number, position or orientation to maximize the facilitation of penetration and dispersion of sterilizing gas between the mating surfaces 16 and 18 of the acetabular shell 12 and liner 14. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the acetabular liner 14 includes three channels forming arcs on the surface of the liner 14 and one aperture at an apex of the liner 14. Alternatively, as the embodiment in FIG. 3 shows, there are multiple apertures extending through the acetabular liner 14. In the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 4, multiple channels and multiple apertures are associated with the acetabular shell 14.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the particular embodiment of this invention described above and illustrated in the figures is provided for explaining the invention, and various alterations may be made in the structure and materials of the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described above. For example, orthopaedic implants in accordance with the present invention are not limited to acetabular shells and liners. Pre-assembled implants for use with knees, shoulders or other joints of the anatomy may also include gas conduits for improved sterilization in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. 

1. An orthopaedic implant adapted for gas sterilization, comprising: (a) a first orthopaedic component, the first orthopaedic component comprising a first orthopaedic component mating surface; (b) a second orthopaedic component, the second orthopaedic component comprising a second orthopaedic component mating surface; (c) at least one gas conduit associated with the first orthopaedic component; and (d) wherein the first orthopaedic component and second orthopaedic component are adapted to be assembled such that the first component mating surface confronts the second component mating surface to define a mating surface interface and such that the at least one gas conduit facilitates a sterilization gas to substantially penetrate the mating surface interface during sterilization.
 2. The orthopaedic implant of claim 1, wherein the at least one gas conduit comprises at least one channel formed in the first orthopaedic component mating surface.
 3. The orthopaedic implant of claim 2, wherein the at least one channel comprises a plurality of channels.
 4. The orthopaedic implant of claim 3, wherein at least some of the plurality of channels intersect.
 5. The orthopaedic implant of claim 1, further comprising at least one secondary gas conduit associated with the first component, the at least one secondary gas conduit adapted to facilitate a sterilization gas to substantially penetrate the mating surface interface.
 6. The orthopaedic implant of claim 5, wherein the at least one secondary gas conduit comprises at least one aperture extending from the first orthopaedic component mating surface and through the first orthopaedic component.
 7. The orthopaedic implant of claim 1, wherein the first orthopaedic component comprises an acetabular liner; and wherein the second orthopaedic component comprises an acetabular shell.
 8. The orthopaedic implant of claim 7, further comprising at least one secondary gas conduit; wherein the at least one gas conduit comprises a plurality of channels; and wherein the secondary gas conduit comprises at least one aperture extending from the first orthopaedic component mating surface and through the first orthopaedic component.
 9. The orthopaedic implant of claim 8, wherein at least some of the plurality of channels intersect at an intersection; and wherein the at least one aperture extends from the first orthopaedic component mating surface through the first orthopaedic component at the intersection.
 10. The orthopaedic implant of claim 9, wherein the intersection is located proximate an apex of the acetabular liner.
 11. The orthopaedic implant of claim 7, wherein the acetabular liner comprises a plastic material and wherein the acetabular shell comprises a metal material.
 12. The orthopaedic implant of claim 11, wherein the acetabular liner comprises ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.
 13. The orthopaedic implant of claim 1, wherein the first orthopaedic component comprises an acetabular shell; and wherein the second orthopaedic component comprises an acetabular liner.
 14. A method of sterilizing an orthopaedic implant comprising: (a) assembling an orthopaedic implant comprising: (i) a first orthopaedic component, the first orthopaedic component comprising a first orthopaedic component mating surface; (ii) a second orthopaedic component, the second orthopaedic component having a second orthopaedic component mating surface; (iii) at least one gas conduit associated with the first orthopaedic component mating surface; and (iv) wherein the first orthopaedic component and second orthopaedic component are assembled such that the first component mating surface confronts the second component mating surface to define a mating surface interface; and (b) subjecting the assembled orthopaedic implant to a gas sterilization process such that the at least one gas conduit facilitates a sterilization gas to substantially penetrate the mating surface interface.
 15. The method of sterilizing an orthopaedic implant of claim 14, wherein subjecting the assembled orthopaedic implant to a gas sterilization process comprises subjecting the assembled orthopaedic implant to an ethylene oxide gas sterilization process.
 16. The method of sterilizing an orthopaedic implant of claim 14, wherein subjecting the assembled orthopaedic implant to a gas sterilization process comprises subjecting the assembled orthopaedic implant to a vaporized hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization process.
 17. An orthopaedic hip implant adapted for gas sterilization, comprising: (a) an acetabular shell, an inner surface of the acetabular shell comprising an acetabular shell mating surface; (b) an acetabular liner, an outer surface of the acetabular liner comprising an acetabular liner mating surface; (c) at least one gas conduit, wherein the at least one gas conduit is associated with the acetabular shell or the acetabular liner; and (d) wherein the acetabular shell and the acetabular liner are adapted to be assembled such that the acetabular shell mating surface confronts the acetabular liner mating surface to define a mating surface interface and such that the at least one gas conduit facilitates a sterilization gas to substantially penetrate the mating surface interface during sterilization.
 18. The orthopaedic hip implant adapted for gas sterilization of claim 17, wherein the at least one gas conduit comprises at least one channel formed in the acetabular shell mating surface or the acetabular liner mating surface.
 19. The orthopaedic hip implant adapted for gas sterilization of claim 18, further comprising: (a) at least one secondary gas conduit, wherein the at least one secondary gas conduit comprises an aperture extending from the acetabular liner mating surface at an apex of the acetabular liner and through the acetabular liner; (b) wherein the at least one channel comprises a plurality of intersecting channels formed in the acetabular liner mating surface; and (c) wherein the plurality of intersecting channels intersect at the apex of the acetabular liner.
 20. An orthopaedic hip implant adapted for gas sterilization, comprising: (a) an acetabular shell adapted for implant into an acetabulum, an inner surface of the acetabular shell comprising an acetabular shell mating surface; (b) an acetabular liner adapted to be received by the acetabular shell, an outer surface of the acetabular liner comprising an acetabular liner mating surface; (c) at least one gas conduit, wherein the at least one gas conduit is associated with the acetabular shell or the acetabular liner; (d) wherein the acetabular shell and the acetabular liner are adapted to be assembled such that the acetabular shell mating surface confronts the acetabular liner mating surface to define a mating surface interface and such that the at least one gas conduit facilitates a sterilization gas to substantially penetrate the mating surface interface during sterilization; (e) a femoral stem adapted for implant into a femur; and (f) a femoral head associated with the femoral stem and adapted to be received by the acetabular liner.
 21. The orthopaedic hip implant adapted for gas sterilization of claim 20, wherein the at least one gas conduit comprises at least one channel formed in the acetabular shell mating surface or the acetabular liner mating surface.
 22. The orthopaedic hip implant adapted for gas sterilization of claim 21, further comprising: (a) at least one secondary gas conduit, wherein the at least one secondary gas conduit comprises an aperture extending from the acetabular liner mating surface at an apex of the acetabular liner and through the acetabular liner; (b) wherein the at least one channel comprises a plurality of intersecting channels formed in the acetabular liner mating surface; and (c) wherein the plurality of intersecting channels intersect at the apex of the acetabular liner. 